Row marker

ABSTRACT

A track is clamped to a tool bar parallel thereto. A carriage in the track is reciprocated from one side to the other by a rack and pinion formed by a chain welded to the carriage and a sprocket operated by a hydraulic motor mounted on the track. A cam plate on the end of the carriage permits markers to be folded down in the marking position and folded up in the carry position. Knee action permits the marker to flop backwards when an obstruction is struck.

United States Patent [1 1 Hitt [ 51 Sept. 3, 1974 1 ROW MARKER [76]Inventor: Lloyd A. Hitt, 6306 Raleigh Ave.,

- Lubbock, Tex. 79414 [22] Filed: June 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 371,419

[52] US. Cl 172/131, 74/422, 111/33 [51] Int. Cl A0lb 17/00 [58] Fieldof Search 172/130, 131; 111/33; 74/422 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 189,008 3/1877 Zimmerman 172/131 722,779 3/1903 Watson111/33 X 2,346,424 4/1944 Griffith 74/422 2,842,972 7/1958 l-loudart74/422 Rogers 172/131 Oak et al. 172/130 Primary ExaminerRobert E.Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Paul T. Sewell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wendell Coffee [57] ABSTRACT A track is clamped to a tool barparallel thereto. A carriage in the track is reciprocated from one sideto the other by a rack and pinion formed by a chain welded to thecarriage and a sprocket operated by a hydraulic motor mounted on thetrack. A cam plate on the end of the carriage permits markers to befolded down in the marking position and folded up in the carry position.Knee action permits the marker to flop backwards when an obstruction isstruck.

16 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED $5? 31974 sum; or 1 PAIENIEDSEPsun u or 7 PAIENIEDSEP 3 14 3.838.065

sum sor 1 PAIENIEDSEP M 3.833.066

SHEET 80! 7 ROW MARKER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to earth-working implements, generallyof the lister type with multiple interconnected earth markers, themarkers on the laterally shiftable member.

2. Description of the Prior Art When furrowing or listing ground it isdesirable to have the furrows exact spacing one from the other. Toaccomplish this, it is desirable or necessary to mark the path of thetractor from each traverse of the field.

Agricultural equipment is being made larger with more plows. This makesthe distance from one traverse to the next greater. This requires longerand heavier beams upon the marker. The problem is illustrated andoutlined in the Graham et al. US. Pat. No. 3,139,941.

It has been suggested that the width of the entire piece of equipmentcould be reduced by causing the markers to telescope within the tool baritself, Rogers US. Pat. No. 3,736,990.

It had previously been known that the marker beam could be carried in atrack, Zimmerman US. Pat. No. 189,008.

Other US. Pats. considered in preparing this application include Taylor,No. 514,518, Bullard, No. 2,847,923, and Hudson, No. 2,483,011.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1. New and Different Function This inventionutilizes a reciprocating carriage which reciprocates within a trackwhich, itself, is clamped to an existing tool bar. The track may beclamped either behind the tool bar or above the tool bar depending uponthe availability of space which, itself, will depend on the otherequipment attached to the tool bar. The reciprocation is accomplished bya rack and pinion mechanism with the limits of reciprocation governed bya stop adjustably mounted on the carriage. The pinion is driven by ahydraulic motor and no damage is done to the motor to stop its movement.

2. Objects of this Invention An object of this invention is to mark rowsfor agricultural implements.

Other objects are to mark rows with a structure which is compact anddoes not greatly increase the width of the plow equipment.

Further objects are to achieve the above with a device that is sturdy,compact, durable, simple, safe, efficient, versatile, and reliable, yetinexpensive and easy to manufacture, install, adjust, operate, andmaintain.

The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses,and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from thefollowingdescription and from the accompanying drawing, the different views ofwhich are not to the same scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rowmarker according to this invention shown attached to a tool bar withlisters thereon.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the marker attached tothe tool bar in a different manner than FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view'taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 2with the exception that FIG. 3 shows the row marker attached as in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of one end of the row marker.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged end view of the marker with a portion of the camsurface broken away for clarity.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an end of the marker in the elevated orcarry position.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of FIG. 2showing the motor and sprocket with parts broken away for clarity.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the motor and sprocket taken substantially online 88 of FIG. 7, with parts broken away for clarity.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of FIG. 7showing the construction of the motor mount plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Tool bar 10 is that tool barwhich is normally used to support the shanks of the listers 11 orplanters in normal use. Mounting shanks 12 are clamped to the tool barby U-bolts 14. One U-bolt extending above the tool bar 10 and the otherU-bolt extending below the tool bar 10 as seen in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, oneU-bolt 14 is in front and the other is behind the tool bar 10. Backingplate 16 on the front of the tool bar 10 forms the other element of theclamp. (FIG. 2). The backing plate 16 is shown on the bottom in FIG. 3.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the mountingshanks 12 could be mounted to extend horizontally behind the tool barrather than vertically above it. Furthermore, the distance of head 17 onthe shank 12 may be adjusted so as to clear any other equipment which ismounted upon the tool bar 10.

Track 18 is attached by ears 20 to the head 17 of the shank 12. Thetrack 18 is parallel to the toolbar 10 and of about equal length. Thetrack, as stated before, may

I be above the tool bar 10 or behind it, but in either position it isparallel thereto. Each ear 20 has two holes therein. Also, the head 17on the shank 12 has three holes 24 therein. Therefore, if the track 18is mounted to the rear two of the holes 24 are used and, if the track 18is mounted above, a different pair of holes 24 are used.

The track 18 is basically a tube with a longitudinal slot 26 therein.Carriage 28 (h-shaped in cross section) is carried therein. One leg ofthe h-shaped carriage 28 extends through the slot 26. Beam 30 is weldedto the top of the h-shape 28 and, therefore, is part of the carriage.Therefore, the beam 30 is also parallel to the tool bar 10.

Leg assembly or marker 32 is pivoted by pivot pin 34 to each end of thebeam 30.

Top leg 36 is the particular structural element pivoted by the pin 34.The top leg 36 includes square tube 38, having two cars or scabs 40welded thereto. Also, cam 42 (shape described later) is attachedthereto. Therefore, when the leg assembly 32 is in the lower oroperating or plowing position, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the upperportion of the cam 42 (called the first cam surface 56) holds the legassembly 32 in a vertical position against the side draft of angledmarker disc 52. Inasmuch as the tool bar and the parallel beam 30 arehorizontal, the leg assembly 32 will be at right angles to the beam 30.

Lower leg 44 is also constructed of tubular material. The lower leg 44is connected to the upper leg 36 by knee pin 46. The knee pin 46 extendsthrough ears or scabs 48 which are welded to the tube 38 at the lowerposition thereof and 90 rotated from the attachment or welding of thescabs 40. Spring 50 normally holds the knee in the forward position sothe lower leg 44 is aligned and an extension of the top leg 36. However,if disc marker 52, attached to the bottom of the lower leg 44, strikesan obstruction such as a rock or a stump, the lower leg 44 may pivotbackward about the knee pin 46. However, the spring 50 will urge thelower leg forward again so it is in an extended position. The spring 50extends on the forward side of the leg assembly 32. The disc marker orground engaging plan 52 is pivoted to foot 54 which, itself, telescopeswithin lower leg 44 so it is adjustable therein.

The cam 42 has a first surface 56 which has previously been described asmaintaining the leg vertically downward. As the carriage 28 is movedinwardly, second surface 58 upon the cam will strike the edge of thetrack 18 so as to elevate the leg 32 to the elevated or carry position.Third surface 60 upon the cam will prevent the leg 32 from flopping onover because it is in the position when the leg is in the carry positionto ride against the top of beam 30 should the leg tend to attempt toflop over. The drawings are referred to for the shape and attachment ofthe cam to the tube 38 of the top leg 36. As may be seen, a portion ofthe cam is welded to one of the scabs 48.

Chain 62 in the form of a roller chain is attached as by welding betweenthe lower and depending plates of the h-shaped carriage member 28.Opening slot 64 is cut into the bottom of the track 18. Power unit 68 isattached as by bolting to the side of stop plate 70, which is, itself,welded to the back side of the track 18. The power unit includeshydraulic motor 72. Shaft 73 of the hydraulic motor extends throughopening 74 in the stop plate. Sprocket or pinion 76 is mounted upon theshaft. An arc of the sprocket extends through the slot 64 and engagesthe chain 62 in driving relationship. The hydraulic motor 72 is areversible motor and the hoses and valve controls therefor have not beenshown for simplicity of drawing. If the motor 72 is rotated in onedirection, it drives sprocket 76 and the chain 62 and, therefore, thecarriage 28 in one direction. Reversal, obviously, drives the carriage28 carrying the beam 30 and the legs 32 in the opposite direction.

Inverted U-shaped stop clamps 78 are attached by set screws 80 to thetop of the beam 30. They set like a saddle over the beam 30. Asparticularly seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, when the stop clamps 78 contact theupper portion of the stop plate 70, they limit travel in that direction.Therefore, the farmer may measure the desired position of the discmarker 52 and set the stop clamp 78 in contact with the stop plate 70when the marker 52 is in the desired position. Then, each time the motor72 is operated, when the stop clamp 78 contacts the stop plate 70, itwill stop the motion of the carriage 28. The characteristic of thehydraulic motor 72 is that being stalled does not damage it and,therefore; the equipment will be in proper operation at that time.

Therefore, it may be seen that l have provided a simple, effectivemarker system for agricultural implements.

The embodiment shown and described above is only exemplary. I do notclaim to have invented all the parts, elements or steps described.Various modifications can be made in the construction, material,arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of myinvention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patentprotection are measured by and defined in the following claims. Therestrictive description and drawing of the specific examples above donot point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are toenable the reader to make and use the invention.

CATALOG OF ELEMENTS 10 tool bar 62 chain ll listers 64 slot. opening 12shanks, mounting 68 power unit 14 U-bolts stop plate 16 Plate, backing72 motor, hydraulic 17 head 73 shaft l8 track 74 opening 20 cars 76sprocket 22 holes, 2 78 U-shapcd stop clamps 24 holes, 3 set screws 26slot 28 carriage. h-shapcd 30 beam 32 leg assembly 34 pin 36 leg, top

38 tube, square 40 cars or scabs 42 cam 44 leg. lower 46 pin, knee joing48 cars or scabs 50 spring 52 disc marker 54 foot 56 surface, lst 58surface, 2nd 60 surface, 3rd

I claim as my invention:

1. A row marker adapted to be attached to an agricultural implementhaving a. an elongated tool bar,

b. hitch means on said tool bar for drawing in a direction of draft thetool bar transversely across a field to be plowed, and

c. a plurality of plows on said tool bar,

d. COMPRISING:

e. an elongated track,

f. mounting means interconnecting said track and tool bar for attachingsaid track to said tool bar parallel thereto,

g. an elongated carriage, means for mounting said carriage forreciprocation upon said track,

h. an elongated rack attached to said carriage extending the lengththereof,

j. a pinion journaled to said track and engaged with said rack,

k. motor means attached to said track attached to said pinion forrotating same and thus reciprocating said carriage,

m. marker means for marking the earth attached to each end of thecarriage,

n. U-shaped stops adjustably attached to the carriage,

and

o. a stop plate attached to the track near the center thereof p. so thatthe U-shaped stops on the carriage contact the stop plate to limit thetravel of the carriage. 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 with anadditional limitation of n. said track being about the length of thetool bar.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 with an additional limitation ofn. said mounting means also being means for attaching the track in oneof at least two positions, i. the first position being above the toolbar, ii. the second position being behind the tool bar. 4. The inventionas defined in claim 1 with an additional limitation of n. said carriagebeing about the length of said track.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said rack is in the formof n. a roller chain attached to the bottom of said carriage and saidpinion is in the form of a sprocket.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 with additional limitations of 0.said carriage including a square beam extending the length thereof, p.said marker means attached to said square beam,

q. at least two parallel plates extending downward from said beam, qq.said plates engaging said track, and r. said roller chain connectedbetween said plates. 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 with anadditional limitation of 5. said carriage being about the length of saidtrack.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 with an additional limitation ofw. said mounting means also being means for attaching the track in oneof at least two positions,

i. the first position being above the tool bar, ii. the second positionbeing behind the tool bar.

9. A row marker adapted to be attached to an agricultural implementhaving a. an elongated tool bar,

b. hitch means on said tool bar for drawing in a direction of draft thetool bar transversely across a field to be plowed, and

c. a plurality of plows on said tool bar,

(1. COMPRISING:

e. an elongated track,

f. mounting means interconnecting the track and the tool bar forattaching said track parallel to said tool bar,

g. an elongated carriage, means for mounting said carriage forreciprocation above said track,

h. reciprocating means attached to said track for reciprocating thecarriage from side to side,

j. two markers, each of said markers having a top leg pivoted by k. apivot pin to each end of said carriage,

i. each pivot pin being above the top of the track and ii. having itsaxis aligned with the direction of draft,

m. a cam plate on said top leg of the marker,

i. a first surface of said cam plate contacting the carriage when themarker is in the operating position to prevent the top leg from foldinginward past a vertical position,

ii. a second surface on said cam plate contacting said track when themarker is moving from an operating position to rotate the top legoutward to a carry position, and

iii. a third surface on said cam plate to contact the top of thecarriage to prevent the top leg from reaching a vertical upwardposition, and

n. a ground engaging plow attached to the end of each marker.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said reciprocating meansincludes 0. an elongated rack attached to said carriage extending thelength thereof, p. a pinion journaled to said track and engaged withsaid rack, and q. motor means on said track attached to said pinion forrotating same and thus reciprocating said carrlage. 11. The invention asdefined in claim 9 with additional limitations of o. a lower leg pivotedto the upper leg by p. a knee pin, q. said knee pin parallel to theelongated carriage and track, and r. a tension spring extending alongthe front of the top leg and lower leg. 12. The invention as defined inclaim 9 with an additional limitation of 0. said ground engaging plow inthe form of a disc angled to move the marker inward against the firstcam surface. 13. The invention as defined in claim 12 with additionallimitations of p. a lower leg pivoted to the upper leg by q. a knee pin,1'. said knee pin parallel to the elongated carriage and track, s. atension spring extending along the front of the top leg and lower leg.14. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said reciprocatingmeans includes t. an elongated rack attached to said carriage extend-.

ing the length thereof, u. a pinion journaled to said track and engagedwith rack, and v. motor means attached to said track attached to saidpinion for rotating same and thus reciprocating said carriage. 15. Theinvention as defined in claim 14 wherein said rack is in the form of w.a roller chain attached to the bottom of said carriage, and a x. saidpinion is in the form of a sprocket. 16. The invention as defined inclaim 15 with additional limitations of y. said carriage including asquare beam extending the length thereof, 2. said marker means attachedto said square beam,

cc. said roller chain connected between said plates.

1. A row marker adapted to be attached to an agricultural implementhaving a. an elongated tool bar, b. hitch means on said tool bar fordrawing in a direction of draft the tool bar transversely across a fieldto be plowed, and c. a plurality of plows on said tool bar, d.COMPRISING: e. an elongated track, f. mounting means interconnectingsaid track and tool bar for attaching said track to said tool barparallel thereto, g. an elongated carriage, means for mounting saidcarriage for reciprocation upon said track, h. an elongated rackattached to said carriage extending the length thereof, j. a pinionjournaled to said track and engaged with said rack, k. motor meansattached to said track attached to said pinion for rotating same andthus reciprocating said carriage, m. marker means for marking the earthattached to each end of the carriage, n. U-shaped stops adjustablyattached to the carriage, and o. a stop plate attached to the track nearthe center thereof p. so that the U-shaped stops on the carriage contactthe stop plate to limit the travel of the carriage.
 2. The invention asdefined in claim 1 with an additional limitation of n. said track beingabout the length of the tool bar.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1with an additional limitation of n. said mounting means also being meansfor attaching the track in one of at least two positions, i. the firstposition being above the tool bar, ii. the second position being behindthe tool bar.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 with an additionallimitation of n. said carriage being about the length of said track. 5.The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said rack is in the form ofn. a roller chain attached to the bottom of said carriage and saidpinion is in the form of a sprocket.
 6. The invention as defined inclaim 5 with additional limitations of o. said carriage including asquare beam extending the length thereof, p. said marker means attachedto said square beam, q. at least two parallel plates extending downwardfrom said beam, qq. said plates engaging said track, and r. said rollerchain connected between said plates.
 7. The invention as defined inclaim 6 with an additional limitation of s. said carriage being aboutthe length of said track.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 with anadditional limitation of w. said mounting means also being means forattaching the track in one of at least two positions, i. the firstposition being above the tool bar, ii. the second position being behindthe tool bar.
 9. A row marker adapted to be attached to an agriculturalimplement having a. an elongated tool bar, b. hitch means on said toolbar for drawing in a direction of draft the tool bar transversely acrossa field to be plowed, and c. a plurality of plows on said tool bar, d.COMPRISING: e. an elongated track, f. mounting means interconnecting thetrack and the tool bar for attaching said track parallel to said toolbar, g. an elongated carriage, means for mounting said carriage forreciprocation above said track, h. reciprocating means attached to saidtrack for reciprocating the carriage from side to side, j. two markers,each of said markers having a top leg pivoted by k. a pivot pin to eachend of said carriage, i. each pivot pin being above the top of the trackand ii. having its axis aligned with the direction of draft, m. a camplate on said top leg of the marker, i. a first surface of said camplate contacting the carriage when the marker is in the operatingposition to prevent the top leg from folding inward past a verticalposition, ii. a second surface on said cam plate contacting said trackwhen the marker is moving from an operating position to rotate the topleg outward to A carry position, and iii. a third surface on said camplate to contact the top of the carriage to prevent the top leg fromreaching a vertical upward position, and n. a ground engaging plowattached to the end of each marker.
 10. The invention as defined inclaim 9 wherein said reciprocating means includes o. an elongated rackattached to said carriage extending the length thereof, p. a pinionjournaled to said track and engaged with said rack, and q. motor meanson said track attached to said pinion for rotating same and thusreciprocating said carriage.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 9with additional limitations of o. a lower leg pivoted to the upper legby p. a knee pin, q. said knee pin parallel to the elongated carriageand track, and r. a tension spring extending along the front of the topleg and lower leg.
 12. The invention as defined in claim 9 with anadditional limitation of o. said ground engaging plow in the form of adisc angled to move the marker inward against the first cam surface. 13.The invention as defined in claim 12 with additional limitations of p. alower leg pivoted to the upper leg by q. a knee pin, r. said knee pinparallel to the elongated carriage and track, s. a tension springextending along the front of the top leg and lower leg.
 14. Theinvention as defined in claim 13 wherein said reciprocating meansincludes t. an elongated rack attached to said carriage extending thelength thereof, u. a pinion journaled to said track and engaged withrack, and v. motor means attached to said track attached to said pinionfor rotating same and thus reciprocating said carriage.
 15. Theinvention as defined in claim 14 wherein said rack is in the form of w.a roller chain attached to the bottom of said carriage, and x. saidpinion is in the form of a sprocket.
 16. The invention as defined inclaim 15 with additional limitations of y. said carriage including asquare beam extending the length thereof, z. said marker means attachedto said square beam, aa. at least two parallel plates extending downwardfrom said beam, bb. said plates engaging said track, and cc. said rollerchain connected between said plates.